In my younger days I claimed to be Republican; I was actually a state and county delegate for  years. But then I watched as Reagan’s party slid into sophomoric stances and silly games. It slid from what I considered to be the stalwart of justice and common sense into a party more concerned about “not being” something else.  The final straw came when I heard a competitor for the county head essentially say that if you weren’t Christian, you didn’t belong in the Republican Party.  That isn’t the party I joined and loved.  It had become something else.

I now consider myself independent.  I am a politician’s worst nightmare – I am educated.  Not just with schooling, but educated on their past actions, current beliefs and positions.  Then I weigh the competition.  Politicians don’t appreciate that; they want everyone to vote for them not because they have great ideas, but rather on the basis that they are not the other guy.  I don’t believe this is good politics,  but it works for many.

Now when I am forced to label myself, I claim to be Fulcrum Paradigm. I believe in balance, common sense (not as defined by politicians, but by law and philosophy) and a slow bureaucracy. I believe that the Constitution is a shield for the people of America from government, not a tool to empower government or a club by which it bludgeons people’s  freedoms.  I believe that the Founding Fathers were inspired to create a document that was rigid in some things but flexible enough to solve the problems of our day. I have read their writings, and the writings of that period, and understand their intent as well as their prose.

I believe in our country and our systems, but I believe more that our country is suffering from ignorance in civil studies and apathy in participation. My politics are about what is best for America and Americans, but also what is good for the world that America can inspire. I believe our country is a good place with good people, but shows its ugliness as a warning that we are not yet out of the fire of intolerance and prejudice.

My scripture study includes the Constitution and Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream” speech. I live my life accordingly and view politics through those lenses.